BTech Module 2 - Construction Tools and Equipment (Definitions)

Pry bar

used to force open boards used in forming concrete

Folding rule and tape measure

are the most common tools for measuring boards, pipe, wire, etc.

Digital rule

used to measure relatively long distances such as those in highway construction.

Framing square

is a layout tool that is used to measure 90-degree angles at the corners of framework and joints.

Framing square

They can also be employed to determine cutting angles on dimension lumber.

Level

is a long, straight tool that contains one or more vials of liquid and used to determine if the horizontal or vertical is exact.

Chalk line or chalk box

used for marking lines.

Claw Hammer

an ordinary hammer used to drive or remove nails.

Sledgehammer

a heavier hammer used to drive stakes into the ground and to break up concrete and stone.

Standard Screwdriver

A type of screwdriver that has a flat tip and is designed to fit a standard slotted screw.

Phillips screwdriver

A type of screwdriver that has an x-shaped tip and is used to turn Phillips-head screws only.

Spiral Ratchet screwdriver

A type of screwdriver that is that which relies on a pushing force rather than a twisting force.

Ripsaw

A type of handsaw that has chisel-like teeth designed for ripping or cutting with the grain of wood

Crosscut saw

A type of handsaw that is used to cut across the grain of wood

Backsaw

A special type of handsaw that has a very thin blade and makes very straight cuts such as those on trims and mouldings.

Hacksaw

A type of handsaw that is used to cut metals.

Wood chisel

A type of chisel that is used to trim wood and clear away excess material from wood joints.

Cold chisel

A type of chisel that is used to trip metals.

Nail set

It is a type of specialized hand tool that is used to drive finishing nails below the surface of a wooden trim or moulding.

Pipe wrench

It is a type of specialized hand tool that is used to turn round objects like pipes.

Brick trowel

It is a type of specialized hand tool that is used to place and trim mortar between bricks or concrete blocks.

Bull float

It is a type of specialized hand tool that is used to smoothen out the surface of wet concrete

Blind riveter

It is a type of specialized hand tool that is used to fasten pieces of sheet metal together.

Power drill

It is a type of power tool that is used to drill holes in wood, metal and concrete.

Power screwdriver or screwgun

It is a type of power tool that is used to install and remove screws.

Radial arm saw

It is a type of power saw that is used for crosscutting wood and consist of a motor-driven saw blade that is hung on an arm over a table

Table saw

It is a type of power saw that is used for cutting large sheets of wood and wood composites and consists of a blade mounted on an electric motor beneath a tablelike surface.

Portable circular saw

It is a type of power saw that is used for cutting materials that are difficult to cut with stationary tools.

Power miter saw

It is a type of power saw that is a circular saw mounted over a small table used to cut various angles in wood

Saber saw

It is a type of power saw that is used to cut curves or holes in floors and roofs for pipes and has a small knife-shaped blade that moves up and down.

Pneumatic Hammer or Jackhammer

It is a type of power hammer that is used to break up concrete or asphalt paving.

Rotary Hammer

It is a type of power hammer that is like an electric drill that operates with both rotating and reciprocating actions and is used to drill holes in concrete.

Nailers or Nail Gun

It is a type of power nailer and stapler that fasten materials together by shooting nails into the building material.

Powder-actuated stud driver

is a kind of nailer that is powered by gunpowder and is used to drive long pins into wood, steel or concrete.

Staplers

are like nailers but are loaded with u-shaped staples instead of nails for fastening.

Conveyor

It is an equipment which moves materials other than fluids.

Transit

is an equipment used by surveyors to measure horizontal and vertical angles to obtain land elevation.

Surveyor’s Level

is used to determine an unidentified elevation from a known one.

Construction laser

A surveying equipment that flashes a narrow, accurate beam of light to make a baseline for additional measurements and is used as a level or as an alignment tool.

Water pump

is used to pump water out of holes in the ground so that construction work can commence.

Concrete pump

A pump that is used to move concrete from the concrete mixer to the concrete form.

Concrete Mixer (Cement Truck)

A machine that mixes concrete ingredients by means of a rotating drum. Raw materials are introduced into the mixing drum through its open end and discharged by tilting the mixing drum to allow the concrete to pour out

Arc welding machine

is used to weld materials by melting portions of the metal.

Laser Powered Welder

is used to weld material by employing a laser to heat the metal

Bulldozer

is a tractor with a pushing blade which moves earth and clears land of bushes and trees.

Tower crane or climbing crane

is used in the construction of tall building because it has a built-in jack that raises the crane from floor to floor as the building is constructed.

Crawler crane

is a crane mounted on metal treads so that it can move over rough terrain.

Truck crane

is mounted on a truck frame so that it can be driven in the site.

Backhoe

is used for general digging which is usually mounted on either a crawler or truck frame.

Trencher-excavator

is a special kind which digs trenches or long, narrow ditches for pipelines or cables.

Front-end loader

is a large shoveling machine that can scoop or deposit a large amount of material.

Scraper

is a machine that loads, hauls and dumps soil over medium to long distances.

Grader

is an earthworking machine that grades or levels the ground.

Compactor or roller

is a machine that compacts soil to prepare for road paving.

Paver

is a machine that places, spreads and finishes concrete or asphalt paving material.